Cotton-chopper.



PATENTBD APR. 11, 1905.

J. M. SUTTON.

COTTON CHOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED APR. 11, 1905.

J. M. SUTTON. COTTON CHOPPER.

APPLIOATION nun MAY 24, 1904.

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QWinzowa NTTED STATES Patented April 11, 1905.

PATENT @FFICE.

COTTON-CHOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,060, dated April 11, 1905.

Application filed May 24, 1904. Serial No. 209,502.

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Be it known that 1, James M. SUTTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Redboiling Springs, in the county of Macon and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful lmprovements in otton-Choppers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in cotton-choppers and its ob ject is to provide a simple, compact, and inexpensive machine of this characterwhereby cotton can be readily and quickly thinned and which is under the thorough control of the operator, who can throw the machine quickly into and out of operative position.

\Yith the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a frame which is loosely mounted upon the axle of the machine and is provided with parallel strips or fingers having shovels at the lower ends thereof. This frame connected to an operating lever arranged adjacent the drivers seat, whereby the shovels can be simultaneously raised or lowered a desired distance.

The invention also consists of the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which- Figure l is a central vertical longitudinal section through the cotton-chopper. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the axle and bolster. Fig. I) is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the frame and its shovels. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the axle and bolster; and Fig.,6 is a section on line (5 6, Fig. 2.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, l is an axle having wheels 2 revolubly mounted thereon, and supported on the axle is a bolster 3, which is secured in place by means of bolts 4, having eyes 5, which inclose the axle. These bolts are secured in place by nuts 6 or in any other suitable manner. Slots or recesses 7 are formed within the bolster I and are adapted to receive parallel standards 8, which are pivoted upon the axle l and are connected at their upper ends by a cross-strip t) and at a point adjacent their lower ends by a second cross-strip 10. Shovels 1.1 are secured to the lower ends of the standards 8, and chains 12 connect the cross-strip l() to hooked bolts 13, secured to a transverse member or timber H, which is permanently fastened upon the hounds .15 of the machine. A whillletree 16 is mounted upon the tongue 17 of the machine and is connected to bolster 23 by means of chains 18. An arm it) extends upward from the central portion of cross-strip and is connected, by means of a rod 20, to an operating-lever 2.], which is pivoted to the tongue 17 and is adapted to be held in adjusted position by a toothed segment 22. A seat 23 for the operator is located adjacent lever 21.

When it is desired to throw the shovels 11 out of operative positions, lever 21 is drawn toward seat 23 and arm therefore presses arm 19 backward and downward, and the shovels ll. are therefore raised above the ground. \Vhen it is desired to use the ma chine for thinning or chopping cotton or other growths, the operation of the lever is reversed, and the shovel can be lowered as far as de sired until further movement is prevented by the chains 12. These chains serve to relieve the rod 20 and lever 21 of strain incident to the chopping or thinning operation. The cross-strip E) may be constructed of heavy material, so as to counterbalance those portions of the standards 8, and the shovels ll. which are located below and in front of the axle l. The shovels can thus be operatcd very readily and with little exertion on the part of the driver.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a cotton-chopper, a bolster provided with vertical recesses open at their lower ends, an axle. connected beneath the bolster and having ground-wheels mounted thereon,

a plurality of standards pivoted directly upon the axle and respectively within the recesses, shovels carried by the lower ends of the standards, means for swinging the standards verthe upper portions of the standards being extended upwardly and rearwardly from the axle, shovels carried by the lower ends of the standards, means for swinging the standards vertically to raise and lower the shovels, means connecting the standards for simultaneous movement, an operating-lever, and an operative connection between the upper ends of the standards and lever.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 2 5 in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. SUTTON. Witnesses:

M. R' VVEST, R. W. OGDERLEY. 

